Hanger for electrical conductors



a 1 2- F.J. HENDLEY 2,283,061

HANGER FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed July 20, 1940 m W gr;

Patented May 12, 1942.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE HANGER ro-a ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR-S I Flavius J. Hendley, Chattanooga, Tenn. Application July 20, 1940, Serial No. 346,573

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to hangers adapted for use in association with electrical conductors, and more specifically to devices of the type known generally in the electrical industry as hot line stirrups, which are intended for use in suspending from energized electrical conductors, clamps, cutouts, switches, and other articles of electrical equipment whose direct attachment to the electrical conductors is undesirable, the predominant object of the invention being to provide an improved device of this type which, because of its unique construction and arrangement is capable of performing itsintended function in a highly efficient manner.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the improved hanger showing same in association with an electrical conductor (shown by dotted lines) and which has associated with it a clamp (also shown by dotted lines).

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the improved device.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of. illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the improved hanger generally. The hanger A comprises an associated pair of spaced clamps l and 2, each of which includes a body portion 3, each of said body portions being of cylindrical formation at its lower end, as indicated at 3a, and including an upwardly extended continuation in the form of a portion 3b of slightly increased transverse dimensions which preferably is of rectangular cross-sectional shape. The body portions 3 of the clamps I and 2 are joined at their upper portions by a bar 4, and said body portions are joined at the lower portions by a bar 5, said bars 4 and 5 preferably, though not necessarily, being formed integral with said body portions. The

upper bar 4 is provided with a top face which is substantially flat except at its approximate center where an arcuate raise 4a is formed on said top face, and the lower face of said upper bar is preferably arched and is provided with a suitable strengthening web 4. The lower bar 5 is appropriately shaped at its opposite ends to merge into the cylindrical portions 3a of the body portions of the clamps l and 2, and intermediate of these shaped end portions said lower bar preferably, though not necessarily, is round in crosssection.

The portion 31) of the body portion of each of the clamps l and 2 has an opening 6 formed therein which is relatively narrow at its lower portion and is of greater width upwardly of said lower narrow portion as shown to the best advantage at the right-hand side of Fig. l. The opening 6 of the body portion of each clamp, which communicates with the opening through the lower cylindrical portion 3a of the body portion, is open at the top of said body portion and is open throughout its length at a face of the body portion. At the face of the body portion of each clamp which is opposed to the face at which the entire length of the opening is open, said opening is open only for a short distance at the upper end of the body portion as indicated at 6 in Fig. 1, the remaining lower portion of the opening being closed at said face of the body portion of the clamp by a solid portion of said body portion. It is to be noted that the opening said upper bar and the top'edges of said outer walls serving as seats for the electrical conductor. Also the top portions of the opposed outer walls of the body portions of the clamps are pro- Y vided with raised portions 1 whose edges are curved continuations of the top edges of said outer walls of said body portions, said raised portions 1 being disposed in diagonal relation with respect to upper bar 4 and the clamp body portions associated therewith. Because of their relation and the shapes thereof the raised portions I extend in opposite directions in partially embracing relation with respect to an electrical conductor with which the hanger is associated, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the likelihood of unintended displacement of the hanger relative to the conductor in a direction transversely of said conductor minimized.

Each clamp I and 2 of theimproved hanger A includes a movable jaw 8 that includes a'shank 9 which is disposed in thelower portion of the opening 6 of the body portion of the clamp of which it forms a part and in the opening of the cylindrical lower portion 3a of said clamp body portion, said shank being extended downwardly out of said opening of said lower cylindrical por tion of the clamp body portion and being externally screw-threaded throughout its lower length.

Extended upwardly from the shank 9 of the movable jaw of each clamp I and 2 is a jaw portion II] which is shaped as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 2. In other words the lower part I I of the movable jaw portion of each clamp is disposed in alinement with the associated shank 9, and extended upwardly and diagonally relative to said lower portion I I is a jaw portion I2. Extended upwardly from the upper end of the diagonal jaw portion I2 is a jaw portion I3 which is ofiset laterally relative to the axis of the shank of the jaw, and at its upper end this offset jaw portion merges into the upper portion I4 of the jaw which is shaped to overhang the top portion of the associated body portion of the clamp. The upper portion I4 of the movable jaw of each a clamp land 2 is provided with arcuate portions I5 disposed at opposite sides of said upper jaw portion whose curved lower faces provide conductor seats, said arcuate portions being provided with the required rigidity by strengthening webs I5. Likewise the entire portion of the movable jaw 8 of each clamp located upwardly of the shank 9 is strengthened by a suitably shaped and arranged web I6. The portions II, I2, and I3 of the movable jaw of each clamp I and 2 are so shaped and proportioned that their opposite side faces are in such movable contact with the opposed walls of the openings 6 of the body portion of the clamp that said movable jaw is guided by the walls of the opening 6 when the movable jaw is adjusted vertically relative to the body portion of the clamp. Also, as shown in Fig. 1 the open sides of the movable jaws of the clamps I and 2 are located at opposite sides of the hanger.

Cooperatively associated with the lower, screwthreaded portion of the shank of the movable jaw 8 each clamp I and .2 is an elongated nut I'I. Each of the nuts IT is cylindrical throughout its upper portion and said cylindrical portion is provided with an internally screwthreaded portion at its upper end which screwthreadedly cooperates with the screwthreads of the associated shank, said screwthreaded. portion of the shank being extended into the cylindrical portionof the nut as shown in Fig. 2. At the lower end of each nut I! a stem I8 is extended downstem. Also by preference the stem I8 of each nut I? has an opening 29 formed longitudinally therethrough which communicates with the hollow interior of the cylindrical portionof the nut and is open at itslower end. This opening serves as aduct to drain from the interior of the cylindrical portion of the nut any water which may find its way thereinto. Adjacent tolits upper end each of the nuts IT has formed therein an annular groove 2I which is open at the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of the nut. Also the lower bar 5 at its opposite ends is provided with opposed lugs 22, the outer end portions of which project into the annular grooves 21 of the nuts H, as shown to the best advantagein Fig.3. By this arrangement the nuts I! may be rotated to adjust the movable jaws 9 of .the clamps vertically relative to the body portions of said clamps and the lugs 22 in coaction with the walls .of the annular grooves ZI of the nuts prevent movement of the nuts longitudinally of the bodyportlOl'lSxOf the clamps.

The-entire hanger is formed of electrical cona conductor by first manipulating the nuts I! to adjust the movable jaws 8 upwardly relative to the body portions 3 of the clamps I and 2 to provide openings at the open sides of the clamps sufficiently large to permit passage of the conductor therethrough. The hanger is then elevated to a position adjacent to the conductor, the conductor B in Fig. 1, for instance, where the upper bar 4 is located immediately beneath the conductor and is extended at a slight angle wardly from the cylindrical portion of the nut V and an eye I9 is formed at the lower end of said I with respect thereto and with the open sides of the clamps at opposite sides of the conductor. The hanger is then turned about a vertical axis to move the open sides of the clamps over the conductor after which the nuts H are tightened to adjust the movable jaws 8 downwardly and thereby clamp the conductor between the overhanging portions Id of the movable jaws 8 and the adjacent conductor-receiving portions of the clamp body portions and the upper bar 4. When the hanger is clamped to the conductor as described the arcuate raise 4a on the top face of the upper bar 4 will impart a slight distortion to the conductor which provides a gripping action that prevents movement of the hanger longitudinally of the conductor.

When the hanger has been applied to the conductor as previously explained a desired article of electrical equipment may be suitably attached to the lower bar 5 for mechanical support and for electrical connection with the conductor B, this arrangement being illustrated in Fig. 1 wherein an ordinary hot line clamp C is illustrated by dotted lines as being attached to the lower bar 5 of the hanger.

An extremely important feature of the invention has to do with the use of the nuts II having cylindrical portions which embrace the lower portions of the shanks 9 of the movable jaws of the clamps I and 2. Because of the embracing relation of the nuts with respect to the lower portions of the shanks 9 corrosion and other deterioration of the threaded portions of the shanks due to atmospheric condition were prevented. Also, it is to be noted that when the movable jaws of the clamps have been drawn into clamping relation with respect to a conductor by manipulation of the nuts H, the lower, screwthreaded end portions of the shanks are neither in compression or tension. As a result of this situation there is no distortion of the screwthreaded lower end portions of the shanks due to strains imposed thereon when the hanger is clamped to a conductor, and therefore when the nuts are unscrewed to elevate the movable jaws in releasing the hanger from a conductor, .the

internal screwthreads of the nuts engage screwthreads of the shanks which have not been distorted and arev accurate and true.

If desired spring washers 23 may be interposed in embracing relation with respect to the shanks 9, between the upper ends of the nuts I! and the lower ends of the body portions 3 of the clamps I and 2.

A very important feature of the invention is that the arcuate raise or arch la. of the upper bar 4 of the body portion of the hanger cooperates with a conductor with which the improved hanger isassociated in a manner to assure good contact at all timesbetween the hanger and the associated conductor. This result follows from the fact that a conductor of the type with which the-hanger is adapted for association is.a semirigid body having several hundred pounds of .sag

tension, and when it is pulled down over the arcuate raise 4a of the upper bar 4 of the body portion of the hanger ahigh pressure sag tension, or spring-like tension is produced in the conductor. As a result of this situation, if either or both of the movable jaws 8 become loosened slightly, this sag tension contact, being of a'spring nature, will carry the current and provide the desired good electrical connection between the hanger and the associated conductor.

I claim: I

1. A hanger adapted for association with an electrical conductor comprising a pair of spaced clamps, said clamps comprising each a body portion having a part which provides a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw which is guided for movement by and with respect to said body portion, said movable jaw of each clamp including a screwthreaded shank, a nut associated with the screwthreaded shank of each clamp, and a bar conmeeting the body portions of the pair of clamps and adapted to support an article of electrical equipment.

' by and with respect to said body portion, said 2. A hanger adapted for association with an electrical conductor comprising a pair of spaced clamps, said clamps comprising each a body portion having a part which provides a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw Which is guided for movement by and with respect to said body portion, said movable jaw of each clamp including a screwthreaded shank, a nut associated with the screwthreaded shank of each clamp, an upper bar which connects the body portions of the pair of clamps and including a face which provides a seat for the conductor with which the hanger is associated, and a lower bar also connecting the body portions of the pair of clamps and adapted to support an article of electrical equipment.

3. A hanger adapted for association with an electrical conductor comprising a pair of spaced clamps, said clamps comprising each a body portion having a part which provides a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw which is guided for movement by and with respect to said body portion, said movable jaw of each clamp including a screwthreaded shank, a nut associated with the screwthreaded shank of each clamp, an upper bar which connects the body portions of the pair of clamps and includes a face which provides a seat for the conductor with which the hanger is associated, and a lower bar also connecting the body portions of the pair of clamps and adapted to support an article of electrical equipment, said pair of clamps having open sides which are open at opposite sides of the hanger.

4. A hanger adapted for association with an electrical conductor comprising a pair of spaced clamps, said clamps comprising each a body pormovable jaw of each clamp including a screwthreaded shank, a'nut associated with the screw- ,threaded shank of each clamp, an upper bar which connects the body portions of the pair of clamps and includes a face which provides a seat for the conductor with which the hanger is associated, said seat-providing face of said upper bar 1 being provided with a raised portion which provides for increased gripping action between said seat-providing face of the upper bar and a con ductor with which the hanger is associated, and a lower bar also connecting the body portions of the pair of clamps and adapted to support an article of electrical equipment.

5. A hanger adapted for association'with an electrical conductor comprising a pair of spaced clamp Said clamps comprising each a body portion having a part which provides a fixed jaw, and a movable jaw which is guided for movement by and with respect to said body portion, said movable jaw of each clamp including a screwthreaded shank, a nut associated with the screwthreaded shank of each clamp, and a bar connecting the body portions of the pair of clamps and adapted to support an article of electrical equipment, each of said nuts including an elongated cylindrical portion which'is provided with internal screwthreads that engage the screwthreads of the shank with which it is associated and said elongated cylindrical portion of each nut completely embracing the outer end portion therebetween, a bar connecting the body portions of said spaced clamps and adapted to receive in contact therewith a conductor with which the hanger is associated, a raised portion formed on said bar in contact with which the conductor is drawn by the movable jaws whereby a portion of the conductor is subjected to slight distortion, and a portion formed on said hanger adapted to receive and support an article of electrical equipment.

FLAVIUS J. HENDLEY. 

